realpolitik | Minato Arisato | Akira Kurusu

Entry tags:

Minato Arisato | Akira Kurusu | 090

[He's exhausted.

It's been an intense couple of months, and it feels as though the situation will only get worse somehow--worse and worse, and Minato has no idea what to expect. Strega is still out there. The Dark Hour still exists. The Arcana Shadows are gone, but...at what cost?

What was Ikutsuki rambling about, before the end?

Junpei's exhausted and depressed, the entire dorm dark and quiet and respectful of his mourning, and Minato's still shaken too from how close it was--how close he came to losing yet another teammate, and friend.

So he hops on the train. Akira probably won't mind a visit, right...? They get along well enough, and he thinks Akira would probably understand if Minato just needs a day away from the oppressive atmosphere of how much everyone has lost over the past two months.

He pushes open the door to the cafe quietly, but... well, the silence is almost more stifling over here, and his brow furrows a bit, even as he glances at Sojiro behind the counter.

UM...]

Is Akira around...?

[Now would probably be a good time to get interrupted before Sojiro tells this punk he doesn't really know well that Akira's TOTALLY DEAD.

(Minato probably should've texted first.)]

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You try staying completely still for several minutes at a time. It's enough to drive a person crazy.

[IN OTHER WORDS, NO]

And, well-- that's true. But not what I was getting at.

[at least he drops his hand back into his lap when he's done being obnoxious and slumps against the wall again]

You're hurting, too. Guilt can be a form of hurt. [or so he thinks. maybe he can say that because he's a leader too, so he knows. . . what it's like. to feel responsible for an entire group of people. to feel like you failed them] And if you ignore your own hurt, moving forward is going to be a lot more difficult.

[AKIRA...]

Just...don't hurt yourself more...

[... He sighs softly, shaking his head. It's true, of course. Guilt is a form of hurt, and it seems like the sort of thing that...well, he'd say too, if he was dealing with a similar situation. It's been difficult for him to get his head back on straight, what with all of the things going on and the general mood of the dorm, and so... maybe he's just really needed to confront it like this?]

... I guess that's true. [He frowns slightly to himself.] It is our responsibility, though. [He knows that Akira knows it's true.] What happens to them--to our team...

[That's all on them.]

Yeah. It is.

[he doesn't deny that!! doesn't even try to sugarcoat it. it's a huge responsibility, but he's acutely aware that both he and Minato are capable of shouldering it. he won't beat around that bush at all, won't try to make it sound less than it is]

[he tilts his chin up, gaze seeking out Minato's again]

Which is why you need to confront your pain sooner rather than later.

They're going to need you at your best from here on out.

[Minato meets Akira's eyes quietly; it feels like the least he can do, when he feels like Akira is really...telling him things he needs to hear here. It might not be the most pleasant truth ever, but it is the truth.

...He frowns a little. "Confront his pain", huh...?]

... You might be right, but...

[Minato doesn't really do a whole lot of confiding in people or leaning on people or...any of the sort, really. He mostly just looks uncertain.

How is he even supposed to do that?]

We'll recover, Akira. I think you have enough on your plate right now.

[maybe this is a fellow protag offering a shoulder for him to lean on for a bit, just until he manages to pull himself back together. someone offering Minato some support for a change. not really as repayment for the words he gave Akira after the Velvet Room, but. . . something Akira would have done all along. as a friend]

[a grin stretches across his cheeks as he tilts his head a bit, tone turning a little lighter]

Too late; you're already on the plate, too. I've decided your spot is in between the grilled fish and the rice.

[hope Minato likes. . . rice? and fish???]

[He can't say he doesn't appreciate the lightening of the mood, even if he quirks an eyebrow vaguely at that. It's a bit of a mood whiplash, but he can roll with it.]

Sounds tasty.

[Though he gets what Akira's going for here, and...well...]

I'll share my theories on Ikutsuki when you don't look like you found a fight club and lost.

[SO AKIRA NEEDS TO REST.]

How's that?

[HEY!!]

. . .

I don't like this deal. . . bruises don't just heal overnight, you know.

Right... and you'll have to rest to recover.

[So like.

That's the idea.]

[god damn it, Minato. but he can feel he's reached a wall here. something's got to give, and Akira knows not to push his luck]

. . . okay. New deal.

We'll go back to Leblanc and play video games. I won't ask you any more questions about what happened until I've rested, had dinner, and changed some of my bandages.

[maybe he'll even tell Minato a little bit more about what happened to him in October and November, how's that]

After dinner, you tell me more about your theories with your Chairman. . . and any other concerns you might have about your team.

[... Hm. The counterargument doesn't make him entirely happy, but he's sensing it's the best he'll get from Akira--and it means Akira will be resting and taking care of himself, which is his major concern right now.

So after that brief moment of contemplation, he nods.]

Alright. It's a deal.

[Though he adds, after a brief moment:]

I want to understand your plan a bit better too, though. So... if you're willing, I'd like to talk about that, too. Later.

[having not actually expected Minato to take that offer, Akira lets a genuine smile-- not a smirk, or a smug grin-- curl up the corners of his mouth. right. this Confidant goes both ways. if he wants Minato to rely on him. . . he's got to rely on Minato a bit, too]

I'll tell you all about it.

[he eventually says as he hoists himself back to his feet]

It's a long story, so you might want to make yourself some popcorn before I st--

[he may have succeeded in standing up, but stepping forward is a whole different matter entirely. as he moves, he can feel his right leg, the one that unfortunately came out of that interrogation worse off than the other (all because he refused to sign that stupid confession at first) suddenly give out from under him. a streak of pain shoots up his thigh, and Akira cuts himself off with a hiss, trips forward, and is only stopped from eating gravel because of the fencing surrounding their alcove. he just barely manages to stick out a hand and catch himself against it on time]

[That's alarming. There's no two ways about it; Akira stumbles, and Minato has never expected to see something like that from him.

(He must be even worse off than he'd thought, when he falls like that, and Minato's expression immediately goes grim.)

He jumps to his feet automatically, hurrying to Akira's side, and while he tone is calm, there's still a sense of urgency behind his words.]

Akira-- [... he's obviously not okay. Minato's not even going to bother to ask and let Akira give another pointless "I'm fine".]

... Here. Let me help you back.

[He reaches out carefully, resting a hand lightly on Akira's back (because really, he has no way of knowing just how bad everything is or isn't, and where Akira's injuries are), expression serious. He'll lend Akira his shoulder on the way back to Leblanc, no matter how short the walk is--taking no for an answer doesn't seem like something he's willing to do.]

H-hold on--

[he mutters those words, tight and strained, through clenched teeth. Minato's hand on his back is comforting, but still not enough to keep him upright. Akira sinks to the ground, injured leg extended in front of him, hunches his shoulders and closes his eyes as he waits for the pain to pass. the sensation is concentrated in his calf, but his whole body aches all of a sudden, like he could fall apart at any moment now]

[this is unbecoming of the leader of the Phantom Thieves]

. . . gimme a minute. . .

[it isn't his pride he's worried about, here. he isn't afraid of showing weakness. he just super didn't want to be another reason for Minato's fuss]

[Minato's always gonna fuss. It's what he does.

Especially when his friend and fellow protag leader is on the ground like this, from the injuries that have been inflicted on him in prison.

(This is brutality, isn't it? This is wrong, in all possible ways.)

Minato crouches next to him, hand remaining lightly on his back, and looks at him quietly, drawing in a slow breath. He has to stay calm, and support Akira here. Even if he's...well, honestly really, really pissed at whoever did this to him, whoever thought they had the right--]

... Your leg, right? What else?

[What injuries? Maybe if he looks at this clinically, from a leader's sort of perspective, it will be less infuriating (it won't, Minato knows).]

[what else?]

[that question pulls a breathy laugh from Akira, and he thunks his head back against the fencing. wordlessly, he draws his thumb across his ribs (a reminder of a harsh kick to the stomach, all because he had refused to say anything when the detective questioned him about the security cameras), up the length of his opposite arm (where the bruises are shaped like fingerprints, from every time he was roughly manhandled and thrown across the room), and over his collarbone and face (the only dark splotches that are actually visible, swollen and still raw even though it's been a few days).]

. . . sorry.

[he mumbles contritely once the pain fades enough for him to move again. he doesn't try to play it tough this time as he grabs Minato's shoulder and attempts to stand up again]

I never thought I'd truly understand what a piñata felt like until now.

[STOP MAKING JOKES]

[he has to make jokes, or the anger he feels bubbling in his stomach every time he's reminded of his own condition would boil over, too]

[... Ugh. It really is just...cruelty, isn't it? Bullying, cruelty for the sake of being cruel, and the knowledge that nobody can stop you. Minato knows that people can be like that. That some people, given power over others and no accountability, will resort to absolute cruelty.

He frowns a little to himself, but focuses entirely on helping Akira to his feet, cautiously snugging an arm around his waist when he's sure Akira won't flinch from him pressing on any hidden bruises.

... This... Akira doesn't need to apologize for. Even if the plan was reckless, even if Minato wishes Akira would've taken better care of himself... he doesn't need to apologize. Not ever.]

... You don't have to apologize. You did what you needed to do.

[To protect his team, to smoke out the traitor... Minato wishes it would've been using a less reckless method, but... he can't really say much to that, considering that for all of Minato's care and caution, Shinjiro and Chidori are still dead. A sigh, and he shakes his head, but he'll keep up the light-hearted tone.]

Come on, Piñata-san. Let's get you back.

[leans into Minato easily, sliding his whole arm around his fellow protag's shoulder in order to remove some weight from his bad leg. he also mutters something under his breath as he finds his footing again, something that sounds like "screw rotten adults. . ." but it's followed by a shake of his head and a laugh as he also tries to maintain the light atmosphere]

Thanks.

Can I re-roll for a different nickname, though?

[Piñata-san doesn't sound cool!!]

[He hears it.

And pretends he doesn't, because some things aren't meant to be overheard and discussed. Instead, he's patient as Akira refinds his footing, and then gently helps Akira begin to step forward.]

... Sure.

[Is Minato being merciful?]

Next time, when you don't come out of your plan looking like one.

[Oh.]

[this is why the Phantom Thieves do what they do, Minato!!]

. . . if I truly looked like a piñata, I'd have strips of paper glued to my face.

[duh???]

I'd also be full of candy.

[they should just. go to Leblanc, before he sasses so much he falls over agian]

[... Akira, that joke was kind of terrible.

Minato gives him a sidelong glance, and then begins to carefully walk, supporting Akira's weight.]

... Are you sure you don't have a concussion?

[It was a really bad joke.]

[oh my god]

Was it that bad. . .

[yes, Akira]

Honestly?

I'm not. Most of my memories of the interrogation is pretty fuzzy. . .

[he says dryly as he limps alongside Minato. ow, ow, leg pain, ow]

Yes, Akira... it was that bad.

[And that response is not really reassuring him?? What the hell, Akira!!]

Did you at least get that properly checked by your doctor friend?

[??!??]

[he's starting to feel a little guilty for making Minato worry so much. reluctantly, he answers, while simultaneously tugging the hood of his sweater down over his face some more]

. . . no.

[and then, immediately after]

But I'm sure if it was a concussion, it would have caught up to me by now.

[it has been a few days, after all, and his head feels mostly fine!!]

Edited 2017-06-06 19:28 (UTC)

[Akira..... Akira....]

... So you have a doctor friend and never asked her to look you over...

[Akira just gets the flattest possible look, before Minato shakes his head to himself and keeps on walking carefully.]

If I'm completely gray by the time we meet up again in this time, it'll be your fault.

[...A beat.]

...And Akihiko-senpai and Junpei's.

[ALL OF Y'ALL]

[POOR MINATO]

[he might be feeling a little guilty, but that doesn't mean he knows how to shut his mouth]

If you really do have an old man mustache, that'll be a lot of gray hair.

[at least they're coming up on Leblanc, maybe he'll shut up when they get back to his room]

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